By Fatma Younis
Seven people were arrested across Scotland on Thursday night as Bonfire Night celebrations turned violent, with police and emergency services targeted by fireworks and a police vehicle set ablaze in Glasgow.
Glasgow vehicle torched, crews attacked
Police and ambulance crews responding to a report of an injured man on Greenside Street came under firework attack, leaving one officer and an ambulance staff member with minor injuries. A police vehicle was set on fire and seriously damaged. Operation Amberlight, Police Scotland’s largest deployment since the 2025 visit of former US President Donald Trump, led to one arrest in the area.
Disorder spreads to Edinburgh, Dundee and beyond
In Edinburgh’s Oxgangs and Colinton Mains districts, bins were overturned and set alight, while youths launched fireworks at officers. Police also responded to illegal fires in Dundee’s Kirkton area. Attacks on fire crews were reported in Glasgow’s Knightswood and Castlemilk, Cumnock in Ayrshire, Larkhall in South Lanarkshire, and Blackridge in West Lothian. Fireworks were also thrown at members of the public in Clydebank.
Major policing operation
Police Scotland drafted officers from forces in England and Wales, including Avon and Somerset, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and South Wales, for the operation. A Celtic vs Besiktas Europa League match and a possible protest in Glasgow coincided with the night, but both passed without serious incident.
